1 comment.DLH concerned about renewed approval of Gzira high-rise
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
Din l-Art Helwa has said in a statement today that it “is concerned about the renewed approval by the planning authority of a large high-rise development in Gzira, in the absence of an adequate and up-to-date policy on high-rise development in Malta.”
The organisation states that “such major planning decisions with long-term impact on the urban environment should be underpinned by a clear vision and strategy and not be approved piecemeal.”
DLH said that “it has been stated that this new high-rise complex in Gzira, which will include Malta’s tallest building of 33 floors, will also regenerate the surrounding area.”
“Yet it is not clear,” states Din l-Art Helwa, “what improvements in the existing urban fabric are expected beyond the boundaries of this development. On the other hand, the construction of such a large-scale project may aggravate traffic problems on the heavily congested road network in this area.”
The NGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar also voiced their concerns over the approval by MEPA’s approval of of the Metropolis Project in a statement issued on Friday.
Does Malta even have emergency and fire-fighting equipment to service buildings of this height? I doubt it.
Personally, I think it is a shame to spoil the skyline of the island with buildings of this type, especially in view of the fact that the extra accommodation and office space is not needed.